Great Scott!

As a parent myself, it is difficult to imagine what Scott has gone through and his Dad as well."

Matt Murray

Matt Murray and Wayne Hennessey made a return trip to a Wednesbury school last Friday – to celebrate the recovery of a brave young Wolves fan from Leukaemia.

Scott Borley, aged 11, who attends Tameside Primary School, has endured some very tough times in recovering first from a form of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and then Leukaemia.

Two years ago he underwent a bone marrow transplant, after which he was visited in school by Wolves goalkeepers past and present – Matt and Wayne.

And now, a special and surprise assembly was held at school to mark the fact that the disease is now very unlikely to return, and Matt and Wayne were delighted to return to help Scott and his classmates celebrate the happy news.

The school’s Inclusion Manager Yvonne Blakemore helped organise the event, and described the pride of everyone at the school in saluting the courage shown by Scott in his battle against the disease.

She explained how Scott has been treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and that the bone marrow transplant from a donor in Germany had been a 100 per cent match.

Scott’s father Steve, a West Bromwich Albion fan, was also present and helped show the now extensive array of ‘Beads of Courage’ collected during Scott’s various stages of battling with illness.

There was then a further presentation, with the Wolves glovemen presenting Scott with a pair of signed gloves from Wayne, home shirt with his name on the back, and two Director’s Box tickets for this weekend’s game with MK Dons.

And, in picking up the banter first shared on the previous visit two years ago – and in a room with children and teachers wearing various Midlands football kits - Matt presented Albion fan Steve with a Wolves tie!

After the assembly Matt and Wayne went back to Scott’s classroom where a special party was held to celebrate the special day.

“It is unbelievable, and brilliant, to see the change in Scott between the last time we came and how he is now,” said Matt (see picture here)

"As a parent myself, it is difficult to imagine what Scott has gone through and his Dad as well.

“You look at all those beads on his necklace and it is incredible how much he has had to endure.

“It’s so great for myself and Wayne to come back and see how well he is getting on, especially playing football again, and with just a few weeks to Christmas as well.

“The banter with Scott’s Dad and also the other Albion fans who are here is also good fun, and it’s nice that the Club have invited them to a game which will hopefully be a Wolves win!”

Steve Borley, who was ‘forced’ to wear a Matt Murray testimonial shirt during the previous visit, admitted it had been a very difficult few years.

“It has been a particularly tough couple of years so for us to be celebrating a day like today, when we know it is now very unlikely that the leukaemia will come back, feels unbelievable really,” he said.

“I can’t thank everyone enough, from the teachers at the school to those at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who gave Scott such excellent treatment.

“And I really appreciate Matt and Wayne coming back today – although I’m an Albion fan it’s great to see them and to get involved in the banter.

“And yes, I will come with Scott and watch Wolves next weekend!”

*Scott and Dad Steve are pictured with Matt and Wayne and the rest of the school celebrating Scott’s recovery. Picture courtesy of Express & Star.